Loughborough Lightning edge past Celtic Dragons

Ella Clark shot 33 goals as Lightning made it two wins from two over the weekend.

First Quarter

The game was evenly contested for much of the first quarter, with little to separate the sides. Clark got the first goal of the game for Lightning before Dragons fought back through Annabel Roddy to even up the contest.

Lightning then pulled ahead towards the end of the quarter, with a number of quickfire goals to end the quarter 16-11.

Second Quarter

Dragons came out for the second quarter looking to get back into the game, with Shona O’Dwyer coming on for the hosts.

A pick-up from Nia Jones on the circle edge, saw Dragons draw the deficit back to two as both teams forced their opponents to make mistakes as the game swung from end to end.

Beth Coben won the ball back excellently but Shaquanda Greene-Noel did well to intercept at the back, keeping Dragons in reach of the reigning champions.

Dragons continued to push to get back on equal terms with O’Dwyer denied late in the quarter but the Lightning defence held strong to go into the break 26-22 ahead.

Third Quarter

Dragons continued to make changes as Hannah Leighton came on for her Dragons debut and Emma Rayner entering the action at goal attack.

It seemed to do the trick as Dragons clawed back Lightning’s lead to go ahead by one early in the quarter.

Loughborough then made a change of their own midway through the quarter, with Beth Cobden moving to centre and Ella Bowen taking the wing defence bib.

Lightning then got themselves back on level terms through a big rebound from Fran Williams with just over one minute to go in the third quarter, before adding two late goals to go in two to the good.

Fourth Quarter

It set the game up for a thrilling final quarter, with both sides pushing hard for the win.

Ella Clark continued to impress with her slick play and kicked off the final quarter with a ball to Rayner under the post.

Lightning extended their lead to five through an intercept from Ella Bowen eight minutes remaining.

Dragons continued to try and close the gap but Lightning were able to hold out for a hard-earned 56-52 victory.

The Gilbert Player of the Match was Loughborough Lightning's Ella Clark

Match Report provided by Celtic Dragons

You can also watch the highlights from all the games in the VNSL 2022 season HERE. Buy tickets to support Celtic Dragons at their home games here and support Loughborough Lightning at their home ground by buying tickets here.

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